By Paul Lamin
Youth in Action for Development (YAD), a prominent youth development institution in Sierra Leone, is continuing its mission to empower young people through skills training, entrepreneurship development, and community transformation initiatives.
Founded shortly after the civil conflict, YAD has become a beacon of hope for hundreds of youths seeking opportunities to thrive in an ever-changing job market. The organization’s mission is to equip young people with practical skills, education, and opportunities that make them valuable assets to their communities and the nation.
At the heart of YAD’s operations is its educational offshoot, the Youth Resource Academy (YRA), a skills and entrepreneurship training institute that offers free training programs to young people from the eastern region. The academy offers a range of programs, including Catering and Hospitality Management, Dressmaking and Fashion Design, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), among others.
Director Othman Sheriff explained that these programs are designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, making them job-ready upon graduation. “Our goal is to produce skilled, confident, and job-ready graduates who can either gain employment or start their own businesses,” he said.
YAD provides graduates of its skills training programs with start-up kits to help them launch their own business enterprises. The organization also plans to expand its training infrastructure, introduce new vocational disciplines, and strengthen its partnerships with private sector institutions for job placements.
Currently, about 320 students, mainly women, are enrolled in various programs at the Youth Resource Academy, with many more expected to graduate in the coming years. Community leaders and parents have praised YAD’s commitment to providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality skills training, noting that the organization’s work has significantly contributed to poverty reduction and youth empowerment in the region.
YAD hosts an annual graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievements of its students, which has become a significant event showcasing the talents and skills of its graduates. The Youth Resource Academy is recognized by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institute, and its certificates are accredited by the National Council for Technical, Vocational, and other Academic Awards (NCTVA).
In addition to its training programs, YAD is active in various areas, including Agriculture/Food Security, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Advocacy to End Gender-Based Violence, Conflict Management/Peace building, Social Entrepreneurship, and Sports. These efforts aim to complement the efforts of the central government and other aid agencies to foster peace and socioeconomic development in the country.
Through its work, YAD has positioned itself as a vital force in building a resilient and productive youth population in Sierra Leone, empowering young people to become agents of change and contributors to the country’s development.
